BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Bryan Price of Rice University, the 45th overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The Red Sox also signed their 10th round selection, RHP Pete Ruiz from Santa Barbara City College and the 41st round pick, RHP Dustin Mercadante of San Diego Community College, to contracts with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. In addition, Boston agreed to terms with non-drafted free shortstop Roberto Ramos of Elizabeth (NJ) High School and assigned him to the Gulf Coast Red Sox.

Price, who was selected as a supplemental pick between the first and second round of the draft and was Boston's second overall pick in the draft, has been assigned to Single-A Lowell in the New York-Penn League.

Price was 4-4 with two saves and a 3.72 ERA in a team high 30 appearances (one start) for Rice in 2008. He had 54 strikeouts and walked 27 in 48.1 innings while holding the opposition to a .216 batting average. The Owls finished with a 47-15 record and advanced to the College World Series before losing to Fresno St. and LSU in Omaha.

In 2007, the 6-foot-4, 210 pound native of Marble Falls, Texas worked in eight games each for Rice in 2006 and 2007. He completed his three-year collegiate career with 76 strikeouts in 65.2 innings.

With the signings, Boston has 18 selections from the 2008 First Year Player Draft under contract.